Shi Jing, The Book of Odes: Lessons from the states, Odes Of Bei

[x_los]

This is a longer chapter than the previous two, and people are still catching up with the last two chapters/acclimating to the format. Thus we'll only do one chapter this week.

I'm going to post this week's poem translations in the body of the discussion to make commenting a bit easier. 

Get your 'odes of bae' jokes out early, before the rush.

Comments

38. 簡兮 - Jian Xi

[x_los]

簡兮簡兮、方將萬舞。
日之方中、在前上處。

Easy and indifferent! easy and indifferent!
I am ready to perform in all dances,
Then when the sun is in the meridian,
There in that conspicious place.

碩人俁俁、公庭萬舞。
有力如虎、執轡如組。

With my large figure,
I dance in the ducal courtyard.
I am strong [also] as a tiger;
The reins are in my grasp like ribbons.

左手執籥、右手秉翟。
赫如渥赭、公言錫爵。

In my left hand I grasp a flute;
In my right I hold a pheasant's feather.
I am red as if I were rouged;
The duke gives me a cup [of spirits].

山有榛、隰有苓。
云誰之思、西方美人。
彼美人兮、西方之人兮。

The hazel grows on the hills,
And the liquorice in the marshes.
Of whom are my thoughts?
Of the fine men of the west.
O those fine men!
Those men of the west!

Re: 38. 簡兮 - Jian Xi

[aeriallon]

with my large figure I also dance...who are these fine men of the west?

Re: 38. 簡兮 - Jian Xi

[x_los]

What is ancient Chinese for 'fat bottomed girls'?

Also isn't "Phenomenal Woman" (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48985/phenomenal-woman) a little like this?

Re: 38. 簡兮 - Jian Xi

[superborb]

There are hazels in the mountains is a metaphor for men and women to each be in their correct place / to be provided for.

What does that mean, baidu???

Also apparently the 山有X、隰有X occurs 7 other times in the Shijing and is a pattern to indicate the feelings of men and women. PLEASE mountains = men and lowlands = woman is not subtle dsfsdjkl